The Athenaeum Liverpool

'The Diaries of William Lloyd Holden'
2019-10-17 18:30 - 23:30 (Europe/London) | The Athenaeum Liverpool, Church Alley, Liverpool, L1 3DD, United Kingdom
Thursday 17 October, 6:30pm for 7:00pm
‘The Diaries of William Lloyd Holden’,
Supper with Mr Jonathan Pepler.
In the history of cartography, William Lloyd Holden is not a familiar name; however, the chance
survival of his diaries provides unique evidence of the actual processes involved in producing the
county maps published by private surveyors and publishers in the period between the end of the
Napoleonic Wars and the rise of the Ordnance Survey. Holden worked for William Andrewes Bryant
in Cheshire – where he covered most of the northern part of the County from the Wirral to the
Longdendale panhandle – and in the West Riding, particularly in the Holmfirth area and the Dales. He
also spent the winter of 1829-30 in London, where he did odd pieces of work for Bryant as well as
spending time with his family. The dairies show that the ‘actual’ surveys of Bryant, the Greenwoods
and their contemporaries were primarily exercises in compilation and synthesis from existing
large-scale local mapping, rather than new surveys. The diaries also provide a fascinating picture of the
social life and activities, entertainments, flirtations and interests of an insatiably curious young bachelor,
and incidentally of the communities in which he spent time.
We are fortunate to be joined this evening by Mr Jonathan Pepler, the editor of the Diaries which were
published by the Record Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, who will be giving a talk in the
Newsroom after supper. Jonathan Pepler has been a Council member from 1995, President 2003-2012.
A history graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge, Jonathan has pursued a career in archives mainly in
local authorities (Norfolk, Pembrokeshire and Cheshire) apart from a brief interlude in the NHS with
Tower Hamlets Health Authority, and was latterly Cheshire County Archivist 1997-2012. He has also
held various offices in national and local archival and historical organisations including Chair of the
National Council on Archives, and membership of the Railway Heritage Committee and the
Archbishop of Canterbury’s Advisory Panel on Libraries and Archives. He has published a number of
articles in local historical journals and has a particular interest in maps and cartography.
£20.00 per person, including two-course supper

Athenaeum Film Night
2019-10-16 18:15 - 22:00
Wednesday 16 October—Whiskey Galore
Scottish islanders try to plunder 50,000 cases of whisky from a stranded ship. Directed by Alexander
Mackendrick, starring Basil Radford, Joan Greenwood and Catherine Lacey

The Film Group
2019-10-15 14:00 - 16:00
Saboteur – (1942) Dir. by Alfred Hitchcock. With Robert Cummings, Prunella Scales. The film starts with a major act of sabotage; the hero, wrongly suspected, is on the run till the final confrontation with the villain at the top of the Statue of Liberty! One of Hitchcock’s best films.

Sunday Lunch - Following the Judges' Service
2019-10-13 12:30 - 18:00
Sunday 13 October, 12:30 for 1:00pm
Sunday Lunch—Following the Judges’ Service
As is customary, Members of the Club are invited to attend the Judges’ Service, which takes place every
October. ‘Save the date’ information has been distributed and once formal invitations have been
received from the High Sheriff’s Office they will be circulated to the Membership.
As we did last year, the day, 13 October, the Athenaeum will be opening from 11:30am, ahead of a
special lunch for both Members who attended the service, and those who quite rightly wish to enjoy a
hearty Sunday Lunch at their Club!
£25.00 per person, including three-course lunch.

Opera At The Athenaeum
2019-10-11 18:30 - 23:30
Friday 11 October, 6:30pm for 7:00pm
Opera At The Athenaeum
We are delighted to announce the next ‘Opera At The Athenaeum’! Following on from our last two concerts our new President has commissioned David Cox to produce a third Opera Concert which will be performed on Friday, 11 October. The evening’s performance will once again feature some of the best-loved and most memorable arias from the world of Opera. Nick Hardy (Tenor) returns by popular demand and will be joined by Heather Heighway (Soprano), David Cane (Baritone) and the special guest appearance of Molly Barker (Mezzo-Soprano), the winner of the recent inaugural Sir David Maddison Opera Prize. These fantastic artistes will be accompanied on the Athenaeum Kemble piano by the renowned Composer and concert pianist Jason Ellis. So for another evening to long remember, please join us once again for an evening of OPERA AT THE ATHENAEUM on Friday, 11 October.
£33.50 per person, including two-course dinner, reception drink

Nick Hardy (tenor)
Nick Hardy has worked as a freelance opera chorister with Royal Opera Covent Garden, English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, Scottish Opera, Opera North, Wexford Festival Opera, and Buxton Festival Opera. For London Festival Opera he has appeared as a principal in opera galas in Italy, Germany and Spain. For Scottish Opera and Buxton Festival he has had minor roles and major covers, whilst for semi-professional companies (including the Ahmadi Music Group, Kuwait) he has over 20 credits in major lyric and helden roles. As an oratorio soloist he has appeared throughout the UK and in France in major works by, amongst others, Bach, Beethoven, Dvorak, Elgar, Handel, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Puccini, Rossini, Stanford, Tippett & Verdi. He has taught singing for Shrewsbury School, Birkenhead School, Liverpool College, and The Hammond Theatre School, Chester. He has performed at The Theatre Arts Academy in St Petersburg, and is also a member of Waiters That Sing, specialising in society weddings around the north-west. He is the founder and director of Liverpool Italian Opera Co., and conductor of Wirral Community Choir. Recent and forthcoming appearances in 2019 include War & Peace with WNO at ROH Covent Garden, Götterdämmerung at Usher Hall for Edinburgh International Festival, Aida with Opera North at Birmingham Symphony Hall and other major venues, and gala concerts for London Festival Opera in Lancashire, Cheshire and The Midlands.

Heather Heighway (soprano)
Chester-born Heather Heighway graduated from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with first class honours in 2013. She now studies Music Therapy at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where Ruby Philogene is her vocal tutor.
Whilst at the Conservatoire Heather was involved in many of their productions, playing a Fox Cub in Janacek’s The Cunning Little Vixen and Rose Maurrant in Kurt Weill’s Street Scene. Since leaving, Heather has played Susanna (Mozart’s Le Nozze Di Figaro), Adèle (Strauss’ Die Fledermaus), Olympia (Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffman), Tatyana (Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin – for which she won both the district and regional NODA awards), Micaëla in Bizet’s Carmen, Donna Elvira in Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Gilda in Verdi’s Rigoletto. Heather sings regularly with Heritage Opera, playing Zerlina in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Despina in Mozart’s Così fan tutte, First Lady in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance. Heather has also performed with Flat Pack Music as Fiordiligi in Mozart’s Così fan tutte, Mimì in Puccini’s La Bohème, Pamina in Mozart’s Die Zauberflote and the Countess in Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro.
Heather was the Chester Young Musician of the Year in 2011. Whilst at the Conservatoire, Heather won the Reginald Vincent Lieder Prize, gained second place in the Edwards Brooks English Song Prize and was a finalist in the Mario Lanza Opera Prize. Heather was also awarded the Ella Cheshire Scholarship and the Gordon Clinton English Song Prize.
Heather has been the soprano soloist in several choral works Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Finzi’s In Terra Pax, Faure’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, Schubert’s Mass in G, Mozart’s C Minor Mass, Haydn’s Creation and Bach’s Saint John Passion.
Heather is thankful for the support of the Aspinwall Educational Trust, The Mario Lanza Foundation, the Split Infinitive Trust and the Guildhall Scholarship Scheme.

Molly Barker (mezzo soprano)
Molly Barker is from Nottinghamshire, now living in the Peak District. She has just completed a two-year masters degree at the Royal Northern College of Music, studying under the tutorage of Hilary Summers, and looks forward to returning for a further year of study later this year. She has been generously supported by the Michael Kennedy Award, the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, the Drake Calleja trust and the Annie Ridyard Scholarship awarded by the RNCM.
Molly is a newcomer to the professional singing world, having performed in her first opera in Summer 2018 in the chorus of Tisbe, with La Serenissima at the Buxton Opera House. Since then she has played the role of La Zia Principessa in Suor Angelica (Puccini) and Zita in Gianni Schicchi (Puccini), in the RNCM winter productions.This year she has performed with the Birmingham Opera Company in their production of Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk (Shostakovich) and again at the Buxton International Festival in a new opera called the Orphans of Koombu. She looks forward to returning to the RNCM in September and performing the role of Madame de Croissy in Dialogues des Carmelites (Poulenc).
Alongside music, Molly maintains a strong interest in agriculture, having undertaken an undergraduate degree in Countryside Management at the University of Derby, Buxton. Alongside her current studies she still enjoys time spent with the dairy cows and keeping up to date with all the latest agricultural gossip.

David Cane (baritone)
David Cane began singing as a boy chorister in Leicester Cathedral and continued to sing there when his voice had broken. Subsequently he spent a year as a choral scholar singing in the choir of Gloucester Cathedral. Following this, he studied for a degree in Theology at the University of Cambridge whilst singing as a choral scholar at Kings College.
During his time at Kings, David took part in several International tours, CD and DVD recordings and TV and Radio broadcasts, including the famous ‘Nine lessons and Carols’ service broadcast globally on Christmas Eve.
David has recently completed three years of postgraduate studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where he gratefully received the support of the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust. Whilst at the RNCM, David won the ‘Bessie Cronshaw/Frost Brownson Song Cycle Competition’ and has been a finalist for the ‘Frederick Cox Award for Singing’ and the ‘Joyce and Michael Kennedy Award for the singing of Strauss’ He was given the ‘Brigette Fassbaender Award for Lieder’ David is currently continuing his studies with Peter Wilson.
Recent concert performances as a soloist include Orff’s Carmina Burana, Mozarts Requiem, Haydn’s Nelson Mass, Bach’s and Bach’s Magnificat. On stage David has played the roles of ‘Death’ in Holst’s Savitri, ‘David’ in Sondheim’s Company, ‘Starveling’ in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, ‘Bob’ in a production of The Old Maid and the Thief by Menotti, ‘Abraham Kaplan’ in Kurt Weill’s Street Scene, and ‘Don Alfonso’ in the RNCM’s 2016 production of Cosi fan Tutte by Mozart. More recently, David has played the roles of Masetto in Rocket Opera’s production of ‘Don Giovanni’, Lord Dunmow in Manchester Opera Ensemble’s production of Lennox Berkeley’s ‘A dinner engagement’, Schaunard in Puccini’s ‘La Boheme’, Count Almaviva in Mozart’s ‘The Marriage of Figaro’, and Papageno in ‘The Magic Flute’
for Flat Pack Music. David created the roles of ‘Hans’ and ‘Cobbler’ in a new opera by Adam Gorb at the RNCM, ‘Path to Heaven’ directed by Stefan Janski in 2018.
David is also currently undertaking a PhD in musicology at the Royal Northern College of Music where he is supported by an Arts and Humanities Research Council doctoral studentship.

Jason Ellis
Jason was born in Yorkshire and is a graduate of Leeds College of Music and Liverpool University where he trained in classical & romantic piano performance, composition, orchestration and arranging and is also an Associate of the Trinity College London (Piano Recital).
At the piano, Jason is able to give fresh and exciting performances of most styles of music. Whether he is performing in a Solo piano recital or providing suitable ambience in the local piano bar – the aim is to take care with each note channel his passion for the music into every performance. The music of Beethoven is his passion along with a sprinkling of Bach and Mozart!
Jason has been involved with choral music since accompanying the Liverpool University Singers during his studies and in 2013 Jason founded the Mersey Wave Choir. He directs and accompanies many community music groups across Merseyside and since 2010 has been the principal accompanist to the Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir. Since 2014 Jason can be regularly found at the piano at the Liverpool Empire Theatre and accompanying various concerts, competitions and festivals in the Merseyside area. Jason performs regularly on the concert platform as a soloist and accompanist, composes and creates musical arrangements and transcriptions on a freelance basis.

Literature Group
2019-10-03 17:30 - 18:30
Thu 3 Oct. 5.30 meeting followed by optional supper at 6.30. Catherine Hayes on writing for television. Proprietor Cath Hayes has had a distinguished career writing for stage and television (including Coronation Street). She will talk informally about her experiences and the rewards and challenges of television writing.

The Roscoe (Call My Bluff Wine Tasting)
2019-09-27 18:30 - 23:30
Friday 27 September, 6:30pm for 7:00pm
The Roscoe (Call My Bluff Wine Tasting)
One of the great benefits of Membership is of course fine food and fine beverage. This Presidential
Year will be no different as Catering continue to bolster the Club’s social programme with food and
drink based events. During the coming months, we are trialling grouping these events under one
banner, ‘The Roscoe’. Whilst the events will be named the same, each will be unique in its own right.
The second ‘Roscoe Evening’ is scheduled for Friday 27 September and will be a Call My Bluff Wine
Tasting, hosted by our very own Michael Shankland. After the reception drink, there will be a glass of
wine served with each course along with
£35.00 per person, including three-course dinner, reception drink & a glass of
wine with each course.

History Group
2019-09-25 14:00 - 16:00

Artist Talks, with the Bluecoat Display Centre
2019-09-24 13:00 - 16:00
Tuesday 24 September, 1:00 for 1:30pm
Artist Talks, with the Bluecoat Display Centre
In conjunction with the Bluecoat Display Centre, the next Artist talk will feather enamel artist Ruth
Ball who will speak about her artistic career. Ruth first spoke at the Athenaeum in 2014 about her
practice, she now returns as her career has developed and she has explored new avenues. This
includes Ruth’s time as artist in residence at Royal Liverpool University Hospital. This was as part
of Bluecoat Display Centre’s outreach programme, Ruth taught printmaking to those living with
dementia. This was also a valuable experience for Ruth, as this was her first time working directly with
patients and in the hospital environment.
Ruth uses the fusion of glass on metal to produce a diverse collection. These range in scale from fine
jewellery pieces and bespoke objects to larger wall-based artworks. Items are made as “one-offs” or in
small batches as limited editions. Her work can be found in selected gallery outlets and various national
and international exhibitions
£15.00 per person, including Afternoon Tea.

The Royal Institution - with Ann Marie Passey
2019-09-19 19:00 - 23:00
Thursday 19 September 7:00pm for 7:30pm
The Royal Institution—with Ann Marie Passey
We mark the unveiling of the latest addition to the Athenaeum’s collection, the Seal and Royal
Charter granted to the Liverpool Royal Institution in 1821, with an after-dinner talk by
Proprietor, Ann Marie Passey, who will be offering a look at the passage through time of the
building in which the Institute was opened in 1817. The talk will be preceded by a
three-course dinner.
£30.00 per person, including three-course dinner and reception

The Film Group
2019-09-18 14:00 - 16:00
Les Diaboliques (1955) Dir. by H-G. Clouzot. With Simone Signoret, Vera Clouzot, and Charles Vanel. This was a film Hitchcock wanted to make, but the French got there first. The headmaster of a third-rate boarding-school is murdered by his wife and mistress – they drown him in the bath, and dump the body in a filthy swimming-pool. But the body goes missing, and all sorts of weird things happen after that, committed by the Diabolical ones. The is perhaps the only film which beats Hitchcock for surprises and suspense.

Theatre Group
2019-09-14 14:00 - 17:00
Saturday 14 September—Nigel Slater’s Toast
2:00pm or 7:00pm at the Playhouse-£17.00 per person
The Club will NOT be open on this day.
A play about growing up. With Food. Nigel Slater’s
award-winning autobiography is adapted for the stage by Henry
Filloux-Bennett.
Toast vividly recreates Nigel Slater’s childhood through the
tastes and smells he shares with his mother, culminating in the
young Nigel’s escape to London.
From making the perfect sherry trifle, through the playground
politics of sweets, the rigid rules of restaurant dining, and a
domestic war over cakes, this is a moving and evocative tale of
love, loss and…toast.
Tickets to be collected from the Athenaeum
£17.00 per person—booking deadline
Wednesday 3 September 2019

Library & Archives Group
2019-09-12 17:30 - 20:00
Alan Crosby on Trade Directories

The Roscoe (Supper)
2019-09-06 18:30 - 23:30
Friday 6 Sepetember 6.30pm for 7.00pm
One of the great benefits of Membership is of course fine food and fine beverage. This
Presidential Year will be no different as Catering continue to bolster the Club’s social
programme with food and drink based events. During the coming months, we are trialling
grouping these events under one banner, ‘The Roscoe’. Whilst the events will be named the
same, each will be unique in its own right. The first ‘Roscoe Evening’ is scheduled for Friday 6
September and will be ‘The Roscoe Supper’, a spin on the ever-popular Cheap & Cheerful
Supper, with a two-course supper followed by cheese served in the Newsroom.
£20.00 per person, including two-course supper followed by Cheese in the Newsroom

The Literature Group
2019-09-04 15:00 - 17:30
Details TBC

Literature Group
2019-09-04 15:00 - 16:00
Wed 4th Sept 3pm. Faction with Dr Paul Burns. When does fact become fiction and when if ever, should it? I will take Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood as a starting point and referring to some books about local murders.

Wine Tasting Evening
2019-08-14 19:00 - 23:00
For our high summer event on 14 August we will be having a set down meal in the Wine Servery as we taste a range of crisp dry whites suitable for alfresco enjoyment. Here again, we will be testing some of the classic examples against lesser-known but no less enjoyable wines. Russell and the team will be putting on a suitable 3-course cold summer meal ending with strawberries and an alcoholic sorbet. Dress code: smart casual. Time and menu to be confirmed. The event will cost £30 per head.

Schedule
Arrivals from 19.00 to 19.30
Wine & Alfresco Dining from 19.30 to 21.30
Newsroom Bar open until 22.30
Last orders from 22.25 to 22.30
Club Closes at 23.00
Club Locked at 23.30

The Sweet Scent of Success with Sarah Binns
2019-08-08 17:30 - 19:30
The first event that will form part of a series throughout the year and might be of particular
interest to our lady Proprietors – although men should not feel like they are excluded! Guests
will hear a presentation from Sarah Binns of Kenneth Green Associates – one of the leading
distributors of fine fragrances such as Cartier and Bvlgari. Sarah will be discussing the
evolution of fragrance from antiquity to the present day. Discover the origins and symbolism
of raw ingredients and have the opportunity to find your new signature scent! There will be an
opportunity to ask questions and try some of the fragrances with an opportunity to buy.
£15.00 per person, price includes reception drink & canapés

Members Reception
2019-07-25 18:30 - 22:00
The first of our new bi-monthly introductory event giving a platform for members to meet and expand their circles within the Club. During the event, newer Members will have the opportunity to sign their name into Athenaeum history when they sign their share in the 1809 Share Register. If you know anyone who might be interested in joining the Athenaeum, invite them along for what is sure to be an enjoyable evening.
£12.50 per person, including reception drink and canapes

History Group Meeting
2019-07-17 14:00 - 15:30
“From Chiots to Cypriots; The Greeks in Liverpool since 1840”, by Steve Williams.
2:00 pm in the Library.

Meet the President
2019-07-11 18:00 - 22:00
On Thursday 11 June Members and guests are invited to ‘Meet The President’ at a special reception in the Newsroom which will be accompanied by a gourmet buffet! Meet our new President, as well as old friends and perhaps some new ones. We hope to see you (and your guests?) from 6:00 pm to start the year as we mean to go on, with great food, company and of course fun! You can book your tickets now via the Members’ Area or through reception for just £25.00 per person.

Arrival drink served from – 6:00 pm
Fork Buffet served from 6:30 pm
Meeting, greeting, conversing and eating- 6:30pm-10:00pm
Last orders at the bar will be called at 9:45 pm
The building will close at 10:30 pm

Gourmet Fork Buffet Menu
Carved roast English striploin of beef
Side of Gravadlax with Gherkins
Italian marinated seafood cocktail
Selection of Scottish Charcuterie
Egg Mayonnaise with Anchovies and parsley
Beef tomato and Mozzarella, basil and pesto
Olives
Stuffed cherry peppers with Feta
Mixed green salad leaves
Mixed Chopped salad
Selection of Salad dressings
Spanish Pork Albondigas in a chilli and tomato sauce
Stuffed roast tomatoes with Tuna and Rice
Chicken escalope with peppercorn sauce
Sauté Potatoes
Selection of Artisan Breads
Fresh Fruit Salad
Black Forest Gateaux

Literature Group Meeting
2019-07-04 17:30 - 20:00
Southport writer Kate Conlon has written many novels and short stories under the names of Kathleen Conlon and Kate North. Among them are My Father’s House, Face Values,Unfinished Business and The Best of Friends. She has ‘a talent for exposing the quivering tissues and raw nerves of life’ (Sunday Telegraph) and ‘writes warmly as well as convincingly’ (Woman’s Own’).

Music Group- Jazz Concert
2019-07-03 18:00 - 19:00
Jazz at The Athenaeum : The Melvin Peters Trio
£5.00 per person (to be booked in advance)
There will be 2 x 40 Minute Performances with Newsroom services available throughout.
Melvin Peters is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, educator and church organist. He started classical piano lessons at the age of six and continued throughout high school. Whilst studying towards a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Natal, he began jazz piano lessons under the tutelage of Darius Brubeck in 1983. After completing a Master of Music degree in Jazz Performance in 1989, he was appointed lecturer in Jazz Studies at the University of Durban-Westville in 1990. He taught here for ten years and during this time was awarded a scholarship to study at Harvard University in 1998. He has performed extensively in Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Melvin Peters has worked with several leading South African jazz musicians. Career highlights include performances with such jazz luminaries as Herb Ellis and Ginger Baker, as well as the opportunity to share the stage with the legendary Dave Brubeck at Harvard University in 1999. He has collaborated with Abdullah Ibrahim in the formation of the Cape Town Jazz Orchestra, for which he was appointed Music Director. Other major performances include collaborations at the Joy of Jazz Festival and the Hilton Festival. He has made several appearances with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra and also performed in the premiere of Noel Stockton’s
“Invictus” with the Free State Symphony Orchestra. In September 2010, he received the Living Legends Award by the Ethekwini Municipality in acknowledgement of his contribution to the musical landscape of Durban, as well as to South Africa as a whole.

The Film Group
2019-06-19 08:00 - 17:00
Further details TBC
Saboteur

The Liverpool Athenaeum Opera Prize.
2019-06-14 18:30 - 23:00
The President David Roscoe is delighted to announce the inaugural Sir David Maddison Opera Prize presented by the Liverpool Athenaeum, and held in association with The Royal Northern College of Music, and produced by Athenaeum Proprietor David Cox.
Five outstanding Singers from the RNCM have been selected from a shortlist of students who put their names forward to take part in the Prize contest. They will each perform two items from their repertoire before Athenaeum Proprietors and their invited guests, and whilst doing so they will be adjudged by a distinguished panel of Judges, chaired by Athenaeum Proprietor Dr Glyn Williams, on their technical and artistic merit. These opera stars of the future will be competing for the prestigious trophy awarded in his name by kind permission of Sir David Maddison.
A first prize of a cheque to the value of £250 given on behalf of the club, and a trophy donated by the Producer, will be awarded to the Singer judged to be the most outstanding on the night, with a runner up prize of a cheque to the value of £100 also given on behalf of the club. It is hoped that if this evening is well supported by Proprietors, The Sir David Maddison Opera Prize may become an annual event on the Clubs calendar and provide a platform for young outstanding Opera stars of the future to showcase their talents before an appreciative and discerning audience.
The accompanist for the contest performance will be Jason Ellis the very talented, Composer and Concert Pianist, who many of you will by now be familiar with, if you have attended the two Opera at The Athenaeum concerts held during the last year.
The biographies for the artistes can be found below;

Alicia Cadwgan – Soprano
Alicia Cadwgan is a New Zealand soprano currently in her first year of study for a Master of Music at The Royal Northern College of Music under the tutelage of Susan Roper. She holds a Bachelor of Music and Postgraduate Diploma with distinction from the New Zealand School of Music where she studied with Margaret Medlyn and Richard Greager, and is also an alumna of the prestigious New Zealand opera school. Last year, Alicia sang the role of Susanna in the English production of The Marriage of Figaro with Wanderlust opera and performed as a chorus member in New Zealand Opera’s production of The Elixir of love. Since moving to Manchester in September Alicia has become a member of the RNCM songsters and has also had the pleasure of performing with the RNCM Harp Ensemble. She looks forward to exploring many more performance opportunities in the United Kingdom, and wishes to gratefully acknowledge the James and Mary Glass Award which she received towards her study this year.

Molly Barker – Mezzo-Soprano
Molly is a mezzo-soprano from Nottinghamshire, now living in the Peak District. She is in her second year of a two-year masters degree at The Royal Northern College of Music, studying under the tutorage of Hilary Summers. She has been generously supported by Joyce Kennedy as a recipient of The Michael Kennedy Award and a scholarship awarded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation. Molly is a newcomer to the professional singing world, having performed in her first opera in summer 2018 in the chorus of Tisbe, performed by La Serenissima at the Buxton Opera House. Since then she has played the role of La Zia Principessa in Suor Angelica (Puccini) and Zita in Gianni Schicchi (Puccini) in the RNCM winter productions. This year she has performed with the Birmingham Opera Company in their production of Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk (Shostakovich) and will be rejoining the Buxton International festival in a new opera called the Orphans of Koombu, a collaborative project involving local schools. Alongside music, Molly maintains a strong interest in agriculture, having taken an undergraduate degree in Countryside Management at the University of Derby Buxton. Alongside her current studies, she still enjoys time spent with the dairy cows, and keeping up to date with all the latest agricultural gossip.

Peter Lidbetter Biography
Peter Lidbetter is a second-year scholarship student at the Royal Northern College of Music, studying for a Master’s degree in vocal performance with Nicholas Powell. His study is generously supported by the Choir association of St John’s College Cambridge and the HR Taylor Charitable Trust. Peter graduated from Jesus College Cambridge in 2015 where he was a music student and choral scholar, winning the Margaret Mair prize for vocal performance in his final year. Subsequently, he worked with the choir of St John’s College Cambridge as a lay clerk.
Peter made his professional Operatic debut in 2018 as Colline (La Boheme) with Flat Pack Opera and has also played Figaro (La Nozze di Figaro) for the same company. He was in the choruses of Mozart’s Idomeneo and Verdi’s Alzira last year with Buxton Festival Opera and returns this year to play the role of Policeman in their upcoming production of Orphans of Koombu. At the RNCM he has performed the roles of Simone (Gianni Schicchi) and Evangelist (Pilgrim’s Progress). Prior to this had sixteen operatic credits with the Cambridge University Opera Society, including Sid (Albert Herring) Tarquinius (The rape of Lucretia) and Zebul (Jephtha) He also premiered the role of the Count in Owain Park’s opera The Snow Child at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Other recent solo performances include both Bach Passions, Haydn’s Creation, Mozart’s Coronation Mass, Schubert’s Mass in B flat, and Magnificat, Handel’s Messiah, Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle with the Nottingham Bach Choir, and Mozart’s Requiem with Christopher Herrick and the Brandenburg Sinfonia.

Ralph Thomas Williams – Countertenor
Ralph Thomas Williams is a British Countertenor reading Masters at The Royal Northern College of Music under the esteemed tutorage of Nicholas Powell after obtaining BMus Hons at The Royal Holloway University of London. This academic year, Ralph has enjoyed performing in RNCM’s production of Vaughan Williams The Pilgrims Progress as The Woodcutters boy, and in Flight by Jonathan Dove as the title role Refugee for RNCM’s Spring term opera scenes. Before Masters, he was a student at City Lit Opera School at Convent Garden performing opera scenes from Handel’s Jeptha as Hamor, Britten’s Midsummer Night’s Dream as Oberon, and Handel’s Giulio Cesare as Tolomeo, and premiered three operas with Manchester Contemporary Youth opera. A versatile performer, this current academic year Ralph has performed concerts as soloist with Manchester Baroque at Manchester Art gallery, Alexey Pudinov and Kimi Makino at Cross street chapel, Mozart Vespers with Wigan Choral Society, and as a member of Canzonetta Choir at Bridgewater Hall and Birmingham Symphony Hall. Additionally, he has won two competitions at this time: the Bessie Cronshaw and Frost Brownson Song Cycle competition with Rodger Steptoes cycle “Chinese Lyrics Set Two” and the Rosamond Prize with Composer/Pianist Aaron Breeze and Librettist Lauren Garland with the premiere performance of ” Bed Scenes with Mammoth” Ralph’s upcoming performances include Summer term opera scenes at RNCM as Fox in Dove’s Adventures of Pinocchio, Prince Orlofsky in Leeds Youth opera’s 1920 production of Strauss ‘DieFledermaus and an Early Music lunchtime recital with lutenist Sara Sallom at Blackburn Cathedral.

Julia Smith – Soprano
Hailing from North East England, Julia grew up with a background in the musical theatre as a part of Chester-le-Street Theatre group from 1999-2011. During this time she also became proficient in the piano and flute while at school and has won various awards, including the James Etherington Music Award, and the Jack Smith Memorial Prize. Julia went on to study music at the Liverpool Hope university studying with Vanessa Williamson, where she graduated with first class honours. She went on to complete an MA by Creative Practice as part of the vocal consort ‘ Voices of Hope’ at the same institution. Voices of Hope have toured around the country for various engagements, including the House of Lords on two occasions, and have also toured three times to the south of France to raise money for the charity ‘The Sangaman Project’ directed by John Bates. She has taken part in masterclasses with I Fagiolini director Robert Hollingworth, and musicologist John Milsom. Julia was also awarded The Sue Willis Memorial Prize for outstanding contribution to the life of the university through music.
Julia is currently studying under the tutelage of Deborah Rees at the Royal Northern College of Music for a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Musical performance. She is generously supported by the Richard Newitt fund, Liverpool University, the Rushworth Trust, Split Infinitive Trust, and the Mario Lanza Educational Foundation. At the RNCM she is a member of the RNCM Songsters and the ‘Quintata’ Consort. She has played the role of ‘Tina’ in Flight by Jonathan Dove for Opera scenes, performed as a soloist for the RNCM Chamber music festival, and has performed for a chamber recital at St Ann’s church in Manchester city centre. At the RNCM she has taken part in Masterclasses with many professionals including Sir John Tomlinson, Janice Watson, and Alister Hume. She is also a member of the Manchester Chamber Choir, and Manchester Canzonetta choir with performances including the world premiere of the BBC’s ‘One Planet, Seven Worlds’ by Hans Zimmer, and Karl Jenkins birthday celebrations at Birmingham Symphony Hall. Julia looks forward to touring with the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company as ‘Gianetta’ in The Gondoliers and ‘Kate’ in The Yeoman of the Guard from July to September 2019.

Jason Ellis
Jason was born in Yorkshire and is a graduate of Leeds college of Music, and Liverpool University where he trained in classical and romantic piano performance, composition, orchestration, and arranging.
Jason has been involved with choral music since accompanying the Liverpool University singers during his studies, and in 2013 Jason founded the Mersey wave choir. He works with several choral groups across Merseyside including the Magull based Georgian singers, and Wirral based Cappriccio singers. Since 2010 he has been accompanist to the Froneysyllte Male voice choir. Since 2014 Jason can be regularly found at the piano in the Liverpool Empire theatre and was recently accompanist for the Rainhill Music festival.
Jason performs regularly on the concert platform as a soloist and accompanist, composes and creates musical arrangements and transcriptions on a freelance basis. Jason is a session musician at Industrial Music studios and has an active piano/theory music tutor practice. He is also a member of the Music and staging committee for the Llangollen International Eisteddfod.

Schedule
Arrivals 6.30pm.
Opera contest concert 7pm.
Supper 8.15pm.
9.45pm Prize giving and Winners reprise performance.
10.10pm Opera prize concludes.

Wine Tasting Evening
2019-06-12 18:00 - 21:30
In the hope that summer will have arrived, the event on 12 June will focus on rosé wine. In line with some of our earlier popular events, this will be an interactive affair, as we put well-known French rosés up against rosés from elsewhere – one of the pairings will be sparkling. Rosé wine has improved tremendously of late in many areas. It will be interesting to see if the French still come out on top. A range of snacks will be available to accompany the wines. Again, this will be an informal event in the Newsroom starting at 6pm and the wines will be available at a special discount rate. The event costs £16 per head
Schedule
Arrivals from 18.00 to 18.15
Brief Intro by Jon Atkinson 18.15
Wine & Charcuterie from 18.15 to 20.00
Newsroom Bar Open from 20.00 to 21.30
Last Orders from 21.15 to 21.30
Club Closes at 22.00
Building Locked from 22.00 to 22.30
Menu
Premiere Wheel of Brie Du Meaux Donge Served with grapes, figs, strawberries, celery and biscuits.
There is limited availability for this event which will take place in the Newsroom

The Film Group
2019-06-12 14:00 - 16:00
12th June, 2019 Lady in the Van (2015) We finish our season with Alan Bennett’s comedy-drama about an elderly lady, (Mary Shepherd) who lived in a van which she parked on Bennett’s driveway, for 15 years. Directed by Nicholas Hytner, Mary is played by Maggie Smith and Bennett by Alex Jennings. Maggie Smith was nominated for both a Golden Globe and BAFTA for her performance.
(Running time104 mins)

Theatre Group
2019-06-08 14:00 - 17:00
Saturday 8 June—COOPED
2:00pm at the Playhouse
£17.00 per person
To celebrate their 20th anniversary, Spymonkey (A Christmas Carol) is offering Liverpool audiences an unmissable opportunity to catch this deliciously demented take on the pulp gothic romance – think Hitchcock’s Rebecca meets The Pink PantherTickets to be collected from the Athenaeum
£17.00 per person—booking deadline Thursday 23 May
*Following the final booking date tickets will not be refundable, although it may be possible for you to transfer your ticket to a member who had not yet booked. Bookings may be able to be made following the booking date, however, this is not guaranteed and if successful you may not be sat with the rest of the group.

Saturday Opening
2019-06-08 11:00 - 17:00
Saturday 8 June 2019, Newsroom Service between 11:00am & 5:00pm
No Dress code will be in operation for the Saturday opening.
The Club will be open on Saturday 8 June for Members to use. Full Newsroom service will be available throughout the day from 11:00am, with last orders for food and beverage 4:00pm an 4:30pm respectively. The Club will close at 5:00pm that day. Please see page 12 for details on the Theatre Group’s visit to the Playhouse taking place that day.

D-Day 75th Anniversary Lunch
2019-06-06 12:00 - 16:00
Thursday 6 June 2019, Guests will be gathering from 12:00pm —£35.00pp
Ticket includes three course lunch, wine and charitable donation
On Thursday 6 June, we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings with a special lunch in conjunction with the Alexandrians of Merseyside, who’s President, Dame Lorna E.F Muirhead DCVO DBE CStJ DL will be in attendance. A short talk on the history of the D-Day Landings will be given by Brian Gillbanks, and we will be joined by Principal Guest, Vice-Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside, Mr Robert Owen JP DL, Military Guest, Col Steve Boardman MBE DL, and President of the Alexandrians. A contribution of the ticket cost will be donated to SSAFA. Full size medals may be worn if appropriate.
Menu
Starter
Chefs Soup of the Day served with warm bread rolls (v)
Main Course
Roast breast of chicken, Asparagus spears, tarragon sauce, parmesan
Served with tender stem broccoli, Parisienne potatoes
Tomato and basil Risotto (v)
Dessert
Strawberry pavlova
